Could Meditation Be the New Church?
Traditional religious adherence is declining.
Could meditation fill the spiritual void for many?
The answer might surprise you.
The Dalai Lama says, “There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are temples; my philosophy is kindness.”
Some interesting statistics are flying around about the decline of Christianity. In 2020, the Pew Research Center concluded that 64% of Americans identified as Christians, down 12 points over the previous decade. Additionally, the decline of Christianity is an ongoing trend in Europe.
What is happening?
A new generation that hasn’t necessarily been raised with mandatory religion is upon us. The news of sexual abuse scandals surrounding the church and the denial of same-sex marriage have contributed to the rumblings of those who want to live outside the restraints of the church and organized religion.
Many, if not most of the upcoming generation, have been raised without the dogma of sin and hell, leaving them free to choose a spirituality that resonates with them personally in lieu of being fearfully forced to select the religion of their parents or grandparents. Katherine Ozment says, in Grace Without God, “Today, one-third of adults under the age of 30 are religiously unaffiliated.”
These breaks from the church don’t necessarily signify a loosening in morality. We are seeing a significant rise in seekers. Yoga and meditation are becoming more mainstream than ever before. Meditation has grown threefold since 2012, with 15% of Americans participating.
The meditation trend is here to stay.
Meditation and mindfulness are taught in schools, hospitals, and corporations. Perhaps the new “hell” is stress, which causes anxiety and contributes to chronic disease. Excellent treatments for stress are meditation and yogic breathing. Additionally, regular practice often aids in better focus, less anxiety, more positivity, and enhanced kindness and compassion.
It feels like the best of both worlds to feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually enhanced by spending a few minutes a day in stillness. This simple act of contemplation and meditation is key in cultivating the mind-body-soul connection.
